UASs contribute to calibration and validation by providing information at spatial scales relevant to community-scale ecosystem processes: providing spatial context for, or scaling-up from, field or tower-based measurements, and providing ultrahigh-resolution spatial information (<10 cm) for comparison with airborne or satellite imagery. UASs also provide new opportunities for sensor development and testing. The medium-term aim is to establish a national network of trained operators for ecosystems sciences using a set of effective practices for consistent data collection, management and product generation. This includes members of the other Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) platforms who will be trained to provide for their own UAS requirements.
